The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-12-22
lkFERMEDIATE LANGUAGE Work.

in our feIlow-man, is the
excellence and facility of his language. /
Elegant and accurate language is the
dress by which we make our most ordi-
nary thoughts seem worthy of notice. /
When we read or hear the expressed
thoughts Of a'man or woman We almost
unconsciously give him place in our
estimation and credit him with culture
and refinement or crudeness and ignor-
ance, according to his mode of ex-
pressing himself.
The art of correct expression is es-
sential, not only as a branch or science
in itself, but is necessary for the
refinement and polish Of one
who wishes to become proficient
in anything; it is of equal importance
to the business man and the man of
society.
But notwithstanding the Importance
of this study and the benefit we should
expect to derive from it, the very name
of the text in which it is presented is
regarded with dissatisfaction and
hatred by those who study it, and as
sociated, by those who have studied it
compilation of unapplied and conse-
quently unmeaning principles and
rules.
The cause, think, of these unsatis-
factory results in the study of English
grammar, lies in the fact, that during
former years, and in many of our
schools, at the present time, all means
and laws for correct usage of the
English language are entirely ignored
until the pupil reaches the fourth or
perhaps the fifth reader grade.
Then, when technical grammar is in
troduced, it is taken up as something
so entirely apart from any practical use
of language that, though it affords a
| field for good mental discipline in it
self, it is unworthy of credit as good
means for the end intended. As a
result of this method. those who are
unfortunate enough to leave school by
the time they reach the fourth or fifth
| grades, know nothing whatever of even
the. simplest laws regarding correct
oral or written expression unless they
are fortunate in having good literary
surroundings.
Those who do remain to take up tech
nical grammar, plod Though it
under a great disadvantage be
cause they have lost all that training
which should form the foundation on
1
This should consist in the ability to
use and write the English sentence with
accuracy and facility.
think the plan of introducing tech
nical grammar before the pupil has &C
quired this ability is just as inconsist-
emit as would be the introduction OF
the science of arithmetic in the first Oh
second grade before the pupil is in the
least skilled in the operations of mum
bers.
AS the words employed in sentence
are determined by the thought to be
expressed, and no thought can exist
without something to arouse it, oul
school rooms should not lack various
attractive objects for the little
ones to talk about; such as interesting
pictures, blocks, objects made
from various colored papers, etc.
which will give them food for thought
and at the same time afford them in
formation.
Do not come before the little one in &
manner that will make him conscious
of the fact that he is trying to recite {
lesson. Draw his whole attention tt
something at first and thus make hin
forget his reserve and timidity.
Draw out their thoughts by entering
into conversation with them, require
their stories to consist of short but al
ways complete sentences.
In the last part of this grade, if cor
rectly drilled, the pupil will be able tt
reproduce the sentences constructed
on blackboard and states. Here they
may learn thoroughly at least two use
of the capital letter and one use of thu
period.
When the pupils enter the second
reader grade they should be required Il
devote great deal of time to sentence
building. They should reproduce, anC
write, correctly sentences given il
short stories by the teacher.
Show them that before they can tall
, they must have something to tall
about and then they must have some
thing to say about it; illustrate thi
in sentences of two words. Take
certain subject and see how many diff
ferent things may be said about it
writing the sentences on the board
When parts of sentences are given b,
the pupils, write them on the boarI
! and have the pupils find what i
wanting. Especial attention should b.
given the language in all Rotations il
this grade.
A greater variety of words may b,
introduced here, as proper and com
J mon names of persons, places, days
months, material to be seen in tn
school rooms, animals, etc.
Give particular attention to tn
writing OF the sentence, use of capita
letter and period.
think it good plan for the Who'll
| class with the teacher to produc
stories together very often, writin
them on the board as they are con
structed, and having them read an
= criticised when completed.
1 found that could bring pupils u
! by giving them model in this way
who seemed unable to begin or produc
any story from given object.
PronounS, words used instead O
names, as given to the children may b
taken up here, their uses developed an
!, illustrated in sentences. The words il
was, are, were, have and ha
l up the contractions isn't, waSn'
> weren't, doesn't, don't, ETC., teac
them to what they are equivalent, e2
pand them and develop their uses c
the words from which they are cor
, structed.
There are few errors that are so CON
,, mon in the English language, and feV
that mar its excellance more than til
incorrect use of these words, and tn
: incorrect uses of the different forms c
: the pronoun. Even in the fifth an
: sixth grades we continually hear sue
, expressions, 1T amt right" Il
wasn't me, y They wasn't there, y g
set by the stove, . II got 'em ALL !
is possible to correct nearly all, if in
, deed not all, of these incorrect expires
! sions in this and the fourth reade
., grade.
1t seems to me a wrong idea to a
low a habit to grow, which it mus
, necessarily take so much time Z
suppress in the higher grades
when a correct habit of expression
! might as easily be formed by the con
tinued efforts at drill and criticism b.
, the teacher.
Pupils. in general, are not so careful
about their oral as they are abou
, their written expression.
Incite disposition to detect error
in all oral as well as written converse
ton.
, would introduce more general com
, position work in this grade; take an,
uses of the period, comma and capita
letter that they may need in thei
? composition or letter writing.
i The additional work in the fourtl
/ grade should consist in writing tn